Natural Fruit Bars Make Getting Healthy Oh So Sweet! #FreshNFruti #sponsored

Natural Fruit Bars Make Getting Healthy Oh So Sweet! #FreshNFruti #sponsored

May 14, 2013 by · 1 Comment

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community. This natural fruit bars shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client.

I have mentioned many times over the years that I have a weakness for dessert.  Dinner usually includes a little something sweet at the end and when I find myself cruising the pantry for something to snack on,  my eyes are always drawn to sweets rather than the more healthy options in there.  Getting healthy can be difficult if you have a sweet tooth!  My family is always happy to help me indulge my sweet tooth when I succumb so on Mother’s Day I treated myself to a trip to the ice cream shop.  And yes, I ate the whole thing!

frozen treats

On special occasions like Mother’s Day I don’t worry so much about making healthy snacking choices but what about the other 364 days out of the year?  If I gave into my sweet tooth with an ice cream sundae every day I would never fit into my pants!  In fact, after a year of those things I would not fit into my HOUSE!  So, for the other 364 days a year I try to make sure that the treats I indulge in fit with my goals of getting healthy.  When I was asked to try out a delicious and healthy natural fruit bars from Fruti I was thrilled….a smart way to indulge my sweet tooth without the guilt and weight gain of an ice cream sundae!

I have been wanting to get a membership to Sams Club for quite some time now to help reduce the cost associated with getting healthy and eating right.  Healthy foods are not always cheap but buying in bulk at Sam’s Club will help me stay in budget while still eating healthy foods.  I found a nice selection of nuts, dried fruit, organic granola and even organic veggies at Sam’s Club.  I also found the Chunks O’ Fruti natural fruit bars variety pack.  This is a 16 count package containing four different flavors of the tastiest, all natural l fruit bars I have ever had!

getting healthy snacking

Fruti natural fruit bars are made by the Natural Fruit Corporation and come in flavors like Pina Colada, Strawberry, Caribbean Mix, Strawberry Pina Colada and Pineapple Mango.  They select only premium fresh fruit from around the world for these natural fruit bars. Fruti’s fruit bars contain more fruit than any other ingredient.  Because there is so much fruit, there is no need for added colors or flavors.  I love knowing that there are no artificial flavors or colors in these natural popsicles!  There is also no high fructose corn syrup in them which is very important to me.  There is so much fruit in these frozen treats that they require minimal added sweetener at all.  The small amount that is added comes in the form of natural cane sugar.  They are also non GMO project certified, vegan, Kosher, gluten free and made in a peanut free facility.  A great healthy snack choice if you have dietary restrictions you need to follow.

fruti frozen fruit bars

Buying a 16 count package of these natural fruit bars at Sams was a smart choice because once I got them home my children descended on me like ants to a picnic and quickly grabbed their own personal favorites.  Because this is a relatively large box and freezer space is always tricky to find, Fruti natural fruit bars actually come in four smaller boxes tucked inside the larger package.  Each flavor comes in it’s own smaller box which can be removed and tucked into a smaller spot in your freezer.  I like that I don’t have to worry about how to fit a huge box in my freezer.  

all natural fruit bars

When I was at Sam’s Club shopping, I got the change to try out a delicious creation that was being made at one of the demo stations in the frozen food isle.  The woman behind the cart was making a Fruti smoothie with a small amount of plain yogurt and just a touch of water.  It was seriously so delicious I went back for seconds!  Yes, I know, my sweet tooth strikes again but this was a healthy treat so I didn’t feel quite so guilty.  If you want to try the smoothie for yourself or want to see some other creative ways to use these natural fruit bars just check out the Fruti recipe page.   I tried a frozen smoothie with the Strawberry Cream and the Pina Colada and both were creamy and sweet and would make a great summer treat for either me or the kids!

natural fruit popsicles from fruti

I really loved the flavor of these natural fruit bars and even more, I love the ingredients and the commitment to whole foods that the company has.  My kids are happy to eat neon blue artificially flavored things but that is not the kind of food I like to keep in the house.  Fruti natural fruit bars were a delicious frozen treat that all of us, young AND old (or oldER!) can enjoy! The flavor was nice and sweet and the bars are full of chunks of real fruit that gave it a great texture.  These bars are a much smarter choice for healthy snacking than many other frozen treats on the market.  And they are a MUCH better choice for daily snacking than the gigantic ice cream sundae I splurged on for Mother’s Day.  Something like that might be nice to do occasionally but for day to day treats, Fruti is a smarter choice that will ensure I can still fit into my pants for many years to come!

natural fruit bars from frutiGetting Healthy With Natural Fruit Bars!

If you would like to learn more about Fruti natural fruit bars you can check them out on Facebook and Twitter.  Make sure you check out their recipe page.  You can also follow them on Pinterest for more information and some great recipe ideas.  If you want to see more of my shopping experience, check out my Google + album.

 

Disclaimer: I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client.

Filed Under: collective bias, health · Tagged: , ,
Health Care Costs: Can You Afford to NOT Have Insurance? #sponsored

Health Care Costs: Can You Afford to NOT Have Insurance? #sponsored

May 10, 2013 by · 7 Comments

This discussion about health care costs has been sponsored by Aflac and Mom Central Consulting but all opinions are my own.

Health care costs are on the rise and with people sometimes struggling to make ends meat,  many families are choosing to cut corners on their insurance and medical needs.  I work as a pharmacy technician and every day my patients come to me and ask how to save money on their prescriptions. They look at the copay that their insurance company charges them and wonder why it is so high.  Inevitably, they ask “How much would this medicine cost without my insurance?”.  They are usually shocked when I tell them that the prescription medicine they are paying $30.00 with insurance for would cost them hundreds of dollars if they didn’t have their insurance plan.  Often times, people don’t realize that health care costs could bankrupt them completely if they didn’t have insurance!

aflac logo

If you think the price of your prescription medicine is bad, just consider what the health care costs associated with an accident or severe injury would be!  A trip to the hospital could cost thousands if you do not have the proper insurance.  Aflac want to help people gain a better understanding of the true consequences of health care costs without medical insurance.  The Aflac Real Cost Calculator is designed to help show you the health care costs associated with an assortment of different scenarios.  The Real Cost Calculator is an interactive tool  designed to show potential out-of-pocket medical costs and household expenses in just three simple steps.   Serious medical conditions like cancer or stroke can result in thousands of dollars in unexpected out-of-pocket medical costs and expenses. Not to mention that if you are seriously ill and can’t work, you have no income to pay for your mortgage, car payment or even groceries!

health care costs

How does this health care costs calculator work?

The Aflac Real Cost Calculator incorporates data from numerous national public sources to show the average costs of a variety of medical conditions.  I played around a little bit with it myself just to see what sort of scenarios it provided me with.

1.  If my oh so clumsy child happened to fall and break a leg, I would be out $11,678.

2.  If my husband or I had a hear attack we would own the hospital a whopping $12,621.  That number alone is enough to give anyone a heart attack!

3.  If one of my family member was diagnosed with Diabetes, we would be out $17,448.  And that doesn’t include the cost of a lifetime of medicine!

Kids get sick a LOT.  They can be clumsy and have accidents.  As adults, we can suffer from a range of illnesses and diseases that could be very minor or could be life threatening.  When someone in our family gets sick, we should not have to stop and ask ourselves if we can ‘afford’ to go to the doctor.  When we go to pick up our prescriptions we shouldn’t have to leave them behind because we don’t have enough money to pay for them.  We should not  have to lose our homes because health care costs get too out of control for us to afford the mortgage.

hidden health care costs

Health Care Costs

You do not need to be an Aflac customer to use their Real Cost Calculator.  Keep in mind that medical debt is the most common cause of bankruptcy in this country!   By understanding the real costs and expenses associated with health care, individuals and families have the power to better financially prepare themselves. Your insurance may not pay as much as you think.  And hospital bills aren’t the only expense you need to worry about.   Deductibles, copays, child care, car payments….this list of unexpected health care costs goes on and on!  If you want to get a better handle in this concept,  go to Aflac.com/Real Cost to test the new calculator and  see how Aflac helps offset the real health care costs of an illness or injury.

Disclaimer: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Aflac. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Filed Under: Family Life, health · Tagged:
10 Reasons Why You Should Grow Your Own Organic Food #DigIn #Ad

10 Reasons Why You Should Grow Your Own Organic Food #DigIn #Ad

April 22, 2013 by · 13 Comments


This organic food article is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot.

Organic food is not cheap.  Unfortunately, many people are discouraged when they go to the grocery store and see the price tag on organic food and end  up buying something else.  Gardening organically is an enjoyable way for me to provide my family with organic food without going broke.  Is organic gardening easy? Nope, not in the least!  I spend a lot of my summer sweaty, dirty, and picking bugs off of my plants by hand.   I guess I must be slightly nuts but I really do find this enjoyable!  If you are depressed over the prices of organic food but really want to reduce your family’s exposure to harmful chemicals, growing your own is a great idea.  Keep reading for just a few of the reasons why you might want to start growing your own organic food.

Organic Food Gardening

organic food gardening

1.  Get a boost in nutrition:  Many studies have shown that organic food is actually higher in nutrients than conventionally raised foods.

2. Save money:  Even after you buy the manure, plants, and garden soil you will still be saving money on organic food as compared to if you bought it at the grocery store.

3.  Reduce your carbon footprint:  Every time you choose to use organic gardening methods you reduce your carbon footprint.  Using cow manure and fish meal rather than chemical fertilizers and pesticides will help protect our planet for future generations.

4.  Reduce your exposure to harmful pesticides:  Traditionally raised fruits and vegetables are sprayed with a wide array of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that may have questionable effects on our health.  Choosing organic farming methods will reduce your family’s exposure to harmful chemicals.

5.   Protect soil quality and biodiversity:  Soil that is treated with chemicals is nowhere near as healthy as soil that is treated only with organic material.  Healthier soil is less likely to suffer from erosion and will provide more nutrients for your food.

6.   Reduce your dinner’s food miles:  Eating food that is grown as close to home as possible is a great way to go green.  You can’t get any closer than your own back yard!

7.  Promote plant diversity:  One of the biggest problems with conventionally grown plants from large agribusinesses is that the same species of plants are used for almost all of that crop.   Hundred of old time, heirloom species of plants are being lost because no one is growing them any more.  Ever see purple carrots?  Or orange tomatoes?  Not if you are buying conventionally raised produce!

8.  Get exercise in your own back yard!  Growing your own organic food is a great way to burn some calories!  Build muscles lifting bags of manure and get a cardio workout pushing the wheelbarrow around your yard.  Getting out in the yard and digging in the dirt can be fun but it is also good for our health!

9.  Eat more fruits and veggies:  Your family is more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they are growing in your own back yard.  No need to go to the grocery store for blackberries to put on your cereal.  That pile of peppers on your counter may inspire you to find a new recipe to serve your family for dinner.

10.  Stop worrying about food safety:  With the number of recalls every year on foods that have been contaminated with bacteria it is nice to know that the organic food from my own back yard is safe!

 

organic food growing

I was recently chosen as part of a Home Depot blogger campaign to help teach you how and why you need to grow your own organic food.  I was excited to be chosen for this campaign because so many people seem to be intimidated by the idea of going green.  I have always encouraged my readers to take one baby step at a time on the road to an eco friendly life and organic gardening is something the whole family can get involved in.  Teaching our children to be good stewards of this planet is important for it’s long term health!  And getting kids into the garden teaches them important lessons about how our food is grown.  You may even notice that they are happy to eat more fruits and vegetables when they have helped grow them!

growing organic food in pots

I have been out in the yard quite a bit over the last few weeks getting my plants into the ground.  I have a number of beds scattered throughout the yard instead of one large garden plot.  I find that using many small raised beds allows me to fit my garden plants into the landscaping easier than if I had to find room for a 12 foot by 12 foot garden.  I just don’t have that kind of space!  I also scatter many plants of the same crop into many different locations.  If a tomato hornworm caterpillar finds a bed of tomatoes, they can decimate the entire thing in one day.  However, if I am sneaky and put some tomatoes in one bed, more in a pot on the patio and a few more in the front yard than they are less likely to eat ALL of my tomato plants!  Many plants grow quite well in pots on the patio as long as you keep them well watered.

why you should grow your own organic food

Last week I realized that I did not have enough room for everything I wanted to plant.  I have a tendency to buy WAY too many plants and every year I beg my husband to rip out a shrub or two so I can put in another raised bed!  So, after lots of begging and wandering around the yard we decided to remove 2 shrubs and clear a spot for a new raised bed.  After much sweating and swearing (from my very patient and sweet husband!) I now have a nice flat spot to put in some more plants.  I am heading out to Home Depot this week for some supplies and a few more plants!  Home Depot has a great selection of organic plants and I am looking forward to bringing a few more into my garden!  If you want to learn more about how Home Depot can help you grow your own organic food, check out The Home Depot Garden Club website.

Go green this spring with the latest organic gardening tools, equipment and supplies. The Home Depot has a large selection of raised garden beds, composters and everything you need for your garden. Check out their expert tips for growing great vegetable and herbs in your raised garden bed.

home depot logo

It’s home improvement time, and The Home Depot has everything you need to #DigIn for Spring. No matter what projects you want to tackle, they have great values on all you need. They’re ready to help you with renovation ideas and expert advice, too.

Get over $300 in email exclusive savings each year, sneak peeks on new products, monthly lawn & garden ideas for your region and access to The Home Depot’s gardening experts. Click here to join the world’s largest garden community today! Or go to homedepot.com/gardenclub to see some of the many benefits of membership.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Filed Under: Gardening, Green Living, health · Tagged: , ,
Trail Food For Your Outdoor Adventure #sponsored

Trail Food For Your Outdoor Adventure #sponsored

April 19, 2013 by · 3 Comments

This Trail Food post is sponsored by PROBAR but all opinions expressed are my own.

My husband and I love to head out into the woods and go hiking whenever we can.  Our children are 11 and 13 and are forced to come with us as often as possible.  Of course, being teenagers they would rather be playing video games or gossiping with friends but I think it is important for them to get out into the woods occasionally and appreciate nature.  One way to keep cranky teenagers happy in the woods is to feed them frequently.  Of course, that also keeps mommy happy, too, so we bring a lot of trail food on our adventures in the wild.  The type of trail food you bring matters quite a bit.  You want to pack foods that are light weight but that really pack a lot of nutrition into a small package.  High protein, lots of complex carbohydrates, some fiber to fill you up, and easily transportable.  Over the years, we have discovered some favorite trail foods and every time we hike I like to try one or two new things as well.  If you are looking for the perfect trail food, here are a few  ideas on what to throw in your backpack next time you head out.

easy trail food suggestions

Trail Food Suggestions

1. Beef Jerky:  Although most beef jerky can be slightly high in salt,  it is also very high in protein.  I have noticed a number of organic varieties online or you can buy a dehydrator and make your own.

2. Trail mix:  The great thing about trail mix is how many different things you can toss in it.  Nuts for protein, dried fruit and chocolate chips for carbohydrates, whole grain cereals, seeds, etc.  Get creative and throw it into some small, zip to lock bags for your next hike.

3.  Dehydrated meals:  Have you ever heard of the abbreviation MRE?  That stands for Meals Ready to Eat.  While they aren’t the tastiest trail food in the world, they come in a ton of different varieties and all you have to do is add water.  These are great if you are backpacking quite a distance and want a filling meal and not just a snack.

4.  Dried fruit:  The great thing about dried fruit is how light weight it is.  While it doesn’t provide a ton of energy or calories, it is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth on the trail.  It is also a LOT lighter than bringing actual fruit on the trail.  Apples and oranges can get heavy and bananas are way to squish-able to carry in a back pack.  However, banana CHIPS make an awesome trail food.  Lots of potassium to replace what you lose through sweat!

5.  Probars:  I recently received a couple boxes of assorted Probars to try out and these make a very tasty trail food!  You can choose from a number of different varieties depending on your nutritional needs and taste preferences.  Here are the varieties they currently offer:

PROBAR Core™  20 grams of plant protein and plenty of real, recognizable ingredients into this bar including  chia seeds for hydration and recovery too.

PROBAR Bolt™   Organic chews packed to power you up from morning workouts to race days. They’re loaded with electrolytes, B vitamins, antioxidants and complex carbs for fast fuel-ups.

PROBAR Meal™  Weighs in at three ounces of fruits, nuts and seeds with enough nutrition to make a fresh, tasty, satisfying meal replacement.

PROBAR Halo® Delicious between meals treat that’s designed to do your body good and loaded with natural whole food ingredients

PROBAR Fuel™  A gluten-free bar full of superfruits, cashews and oats. It’s soft, chewy, and it’s a full serving of fruit.

I was sent a box of assorted flavors of the PROBAR Core Protein bars and the PROBAR Meal bars.  These bars are not only great trail food but also great for post gym workout refueling or even meals on the go when you are busy.  They are incredibly delicious and easy to throw in your purse, workout bag, backpack or even diaper bag!

PROBAR makes great trail food

The PROBAR Core bars came in Mint Chocolate, Brownie Crisp, Cookie Dough, and Peanut Butter Chocolate.  They have 20 grams of protein, are gluten free, contain 4 to 6 grams of fiber and lots of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.  They contain real food ingredients like chia and flax seeds.  These taste like a combination candy bar/cookie type thing.  Chocolate on the outside with a crispy, crunchy sweet interior.  This is a good sized bar that is filling and sweet.  My favorite of the flavors was the Mint Chocolate, although they were all pretty tasty.  I didn’t think the Cookie Dough one tasted quite like cookie dough but it wasn’t bad.  If I could make one change to these bars I would like to see a protein source other than Soy Protein Isolate.  I know there is some discussion about whether or not this is the best source of vegetarian protein in a diet.

The PROBAR Meal bars come in a ton of different flavors including Original Blend, Whole Berry Blast, Superfood Slam, Superfruit Slam, Superberry & Greens, Chocolate Mint, Oatmeal Raisin, Koka Moka, Superfruit Slam, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate, and Peanut Butter.  That is a lot of flavor choices!  They are high in fiber, have plenty of protein, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and are Non-GMO project verified.  I thought they were very filling, moist and flavorful.  I really like that they come in so many different flavor choices. I was also happy to see that you can buy a variety pack on the website.  A little variety is nice! The ingredient list is loaded with tons of whole foods, including many organic options.

I think these PROBAR varieties make great trail food, post workout supplements or just meals on the go when you are too busy to stop and make something complicated.  They are also incredibly tasty!  If you would like to learn more about PROBAR you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

 Use the code BLOGGER for 40% off your FIRST order!

Disclaimer:  In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”: I received product samples  in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

 

Filed Under: Family Life, health, travel · Tagged: , ,
Stay Healthy Naturally and a Provella Probiotic #Giveaway (#sponsored)

Stay Healthy Naturally and a Provella Probiotic #Giveaway (#sponsored)

April 16, 2013 by · 21 Comments

This post on how to  stay healthy naturally is sponsored by Provella and Mom Central but all opinions are my own.

As a busy mom, I do not always take the best care of myself.  My life can be chaotic…I work 2 jobs, there are kids asking me silly questions like what a rational number is or how to do their algebra homework.  My husband seems to be forever sending me things to do…pay this bill, buy food for the next tennis match, or maybe can I start planning our summer vacation?  Sure, in all my free time I will get right on that!  I am sure you understand what I mean when I say that I wear MANY hats.  Between accountant, nurse, math teacher and personal shopper somehow I have to find ways to keep myself healthy.  Especially since if I get sick, who is going to wear all those hats for me until I get better?  I have found a few quick ways to stay healthy that are easy to fit into my everyday schedule.  Here are a few tips you might want to incorporate into your own life:

Tips to Stay Healthy Naturally

how to stay healthy naturally

1.  Drink plenty of water:  This is one I struggle with but I am trying to get better about it.  I have been filling up a large container with water, ice, and slices of fresh fruit.  Every time I wander into the kitchen I try to remind myself to drink some.  Keeping hydrated is a very important part of how to stay healthy naturally!

2.  Get some exercise:  I seriously do not have time to drive to the gym and work out for an hour.  I try to throw on my sneakers and grab my iPhone after dinner and head out for a 20 or 30 minute walk whenever I can.  Sometimes I call my mom, sometimes I just check email but either way I am moving and multitasking which is better than just sitting in my office staring at my computer.

3.   Take your vitamins:  I tend to forget about these fairly often.  Sometimes I have to write myself notes and put vitamins on my to do list.  Other times I just leave them out on the counter if it is a vitamin I know I should take with food.  Vitamins are important, even if we eat healthy, because most of our produce today is lacking in nutrients compared to 30 years ago.

4.  Get plenty of sleep:  The only time I get to relax is about 9 PM when the kids are in bed and work is done for the day.  I have a tendency to sit down with a snack and a book and want to stay up for hours reading and enjoying the peace and quiet.  I force myself to turn off the lights and go to bed at 10:30 so I can get a decent amount of sleep.  I am up at 5:30 AM so 7 hours is about the least amount of sleep I can function on and not be REALLY cranky the next day!  Our bodies cannot stay healthy naturally if we are tired and our immune system is not running at full force.

5.  Take a probiotic every day:  I have a seriously messed up digestive tract.  Part of it is poor genetics (my dad has Irritable Bowel Syndrome-IBS) and I guess some of it is just bad luck.  My family picks on me that I cannot seem to eat any meal without it upsetting my stomach.  Probiotics really help my digestive system a LOT though and taking it on a regular basis cuts back on digestive upsets.  Our digestive tract is also a first line of defense when it comes to our immune system.  The natural microorganisms that live in our gut help keep our entire body healthy, not just our stomachs!

Provella-Logo

Probiotics are important for everyone to take but especially for women.  Probiotics like Lactobacillus are normal inhabitants not only of the digestive tract but they also play a huge part in vaginal health as well.  Not all probiotics are created equal or are specifically designed for women to support their unique needs.  Provella™ is a probiotic dietary supplement specifically designed for women to promote digestive, feminine and immune health. It  helps restore and maintain the proper balance of good bacteria to support digestive and vaginal health. Provella™  contain a proprietary blend of six different bacteria strains that were chosen specifically for women, including several strains of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium bifidum.

What makes Provella different from other probiotic supplements?  These tablets have a special coating on them that help the bacteria survive the harsh environment of the stomach and remain active until they get to the intestines where they are most beneficial.  For more information about Provella™ and how it works  you can check out the Patient Education Brochure  or the Probiotic Fact Sheet.   Provella™  is available without a prescription at many pharmacy counters and on the Drugstore.com™ website.   Watch this video if you would like to learn more and don’t forget to print out this $6 off Provella™ coupon if you decide to purchase it!

A lot of things can mess up a woman’s overall natural flora…changing hormone levels, our diet, antibiotic usage, stress, etc.  By taking a probiotic on a regular basis we can help our bodies maintain the right balance of ‘good bacteria’ so that we feel better and can keep up with our busy families.  Provella is easy to take…just one pill every day will help maintain your body’s natural balance of microorganisms.  Store it in a cool, dry place and you can take it with or without food.

Enter to win a 30 Day Trial of Provella! (5 winners!)

Provella

 

Disclaimer: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Provella™. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

By entering this giveaway, you release this blog and it’s owner from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the giveaway or delivery, mis-delivery or acceptance of any prize.

Filed Under: giveaway, health · Tagged:
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